unison
/ˈjuːnɪsn/ (bre, ipa) · [jˈunəsən] /ˈjuːnɪsn/ (ame, ipa) · [jˈunəsən] /ˈyü-nə-sən How to pronounce unison (audio) -nə-zən/ (ame, mw)
unison — 名詞
- unisonsingular
- unisonsplural
1. the state in which several voices or instruments make the same note together, so
齊唱；齊奏
多人以同音高唱奏
the state in which several voices or instruments make the same note together, sometimes with one part an octave above another.
During the last line, the choir sang in unison and filled the hall.
到了最後一句時，合唱團齊唱，讓整個大廳都充滿歌聲。
phrase: sing in unison
The violin and cello began in unison before the melody split apart.
小提琴和大提琴先齊奏，之後旋律才分開。
When Adisa raised her hand, the children sang the chorus in unison.
Adisa 一舉手，孩子們就把副歌齊唱出來。
The brass section played the opening theme in unison for extra force.
銅管聲部把開場主題齊奏，讓力量感更強。
- in one voice
close in meaning for singing or speaking with the same sound
- together
broader and does not require the same pitch
- in sync
often about timing rather than exact musical pitch
文法句型
sing in unison
play in unison
用法筆記
Usually follows the preposition 'in'. This sense is stricter than simply playing together, because the parts match in pitch instead of dividing into harmony.
常見錯誤
2. the state of people or groups speaking, moving, or working at the same moment an
同步；協同
同時行動或配合一致
the state of people or groups speaking, moving, or working at the same moment and with shared purpose.
At the vote, both parties raised their hands in unison.
表決時，兩個政黨同步舉手。
phrase: act in unison
The dancers turned in unison when the drumbeat changed.
鼓點一變，舞者們就同步轉身。
Liam and Beatriz answered in unison before the teacher finished asking.
老師還沒問完，Liam 和 Beatriz 就齊聲回答了。
The two charities worked in unison after the storm hit the coast.
海岸遭暴風雨侵襲後，兩個慈善機構開始協同行動。
- together
the nearest everyday word, but less exact about timing
- simultaneously
more formal and focused on timing rather than shared intent
- as one
emphasizes a single shared response from many people
- separately
at different times or without matching action
- individually
one by one rather than as a group
文法句型
answer in unison
move in unison
work in unison
用法筆記
This sense also usually appears after 'in'. It can stress exact timing, close cooperation, or both, depending on whether the subject is a crowd, a pair of speakers, or an organization.
常見錯誤
unison — 形容詞
- unisonpositive
- more unisoncomparative
- most unisonsuperlative
1. having the same musical pitch as another part or sound.
同音的
音高完全相同的
having the same musical pitch as another part or sound.
The score opens with a unison line for both violins.
這份樂譜一開始就是兩把小提琴的同音線條。
collocation: unison line
After the solo, the singers returned to a unison phrase.
獨唱結束後，歌手們又回到同音樂句。
The teacher asked for a unison note before adding harmony.
老師先要大家唱出同音音符，再加入和聲。
Their unison entry made the first chord sound bright and clean.
他們的同音進入讓第一個和弦聽起來明亮又乾淨。
文法句型
a unison line
a unison entry
用法筆記
Used mainly in music writing before nouns such as 'line', 'phrase', 'entry', or 'note'. It describes matched pitch, not simply a coordinated performance.
常見錯誤
2. describing an organ stop or setting that sounds at the note's usual pitch rather
原音的
按鍵與發聲音高一致的
describing an organ stop or setting that sounds at the note's usual pitch rather than an octave higher or lower.
The organist used a unison stop for the plain hymn tune.
風琴師在聖歌開始前用了原音音栓。
technical collocation: unison stop
This keyboard has a unison setting for practice before octave effects.
這台鍵盤有原音模式，可先練習再試八度效果。
technical collocation: unison setting
Heather kept the organ on the unison register during the lesson.
上課時，Heather 一直把風琴維持在原音音栓設定。
The builder tested the unison pipes before the lower octave set.
工匠先測試原音管列，再測較低的八度組。
- non-transposing
broader technical term for sounding at the written pitch
文法句型
a unison stop
a unison setting
用法筆記
This is a technical music term, especially in descriptions of organs and keyboard settings. It contrasts with octave or transposing settings that sound above or below the written pitch.